Draft attachment.



PATENTED DEC. 6, 1904.

D. GIBERSON.

DRAFT ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1904.

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No. 776,902. PATENTED-DEU. 6, 1904.

D GIBBRSON DRAFT ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Nd MODEL.

Witneaew UNITED STATES Patented December 6, 1904.

DANlEL G-IBERSON, OF WILMINGTON, lll lLAl VARE.

DRAFT ATTACHMENT.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,902, dated December 6, 1904. Application filed April 2, 1904:. Serial No. 201,318. (No model.)

To all who/it it nuty concern.-

Be it known that I, DANIEL GIBER'soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVilmington, in the county of Newcastle and State of Delaware, have invented new and useful linprovenients in Draft Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in draft attachments for twowheeled vehicles; and its object is to provide a device of this character whereby two draftanimals can be connected to a cart or similar vehicle and arranged side by side, the draft attachments being so constructed as to permit a certain amount of lateral movement by the animals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cushioning device for preventing undue jarring of the animals.

WVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists of a casing in which are arranged laterally-movable yokes adapted to be secured upon the backs of draft-animals, and arranged within this casing is a springcushioned stem having means for detachably securing it to the tongue of the vehicle.

The invention also consists of novel means for locking the stem to the tongue.

The invention also consists in the further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of my invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the draft attachment, the vehicle-tongue and supporting-rod being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4c is a perspective view of one end of the stem. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the block adapted to be engaged thereby. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the locking-sleeve. Fig. 7 is adetail view of one of the side plates of the casing, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the caps.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 1 are side plates, to the upper and lower edges of which are secured caps 2, having ears 3, which are adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured to the side plates.

Rollers 4E are journaled between the side plates 1 adjacent the caps 2 and form bearings between which are mounted laterally-movable arms 5, having yokes 6 at their ends. These arms are slotted longitudinally, as shown at 7, for the reception of stop-pins 8, which are secured to the side plates and extend therebetween. A back-chain 9 and a belly'band 10 are secured to each yoke. A stem 11 is slidably mounted within the centers of the caps 2 and has a head 12 at its upper end. Interposed between this head and the top cap 2 is a coiled spring 13. The lower end of the stem is reduced, as shown at 14:, and projects into one end of a longitudinally-grooved block 15, having a tapered end 16. The end 14 of the stem is bolted or otherwise secured within the groove in block 15, and pivoted within said groove is a hook 17 which is adapted when seated within the groove to project slightly beyond the tapered end 16 of the block. A pin 18 extends laterally from the block 15 and projects into a slot 19, which is arranged longitudinally within a rectangular sleeve 20. This sleeve is slidably mounted on the block and when in lowered position serves to hold hook 17 retracted within the grooved block 15. A forked link 21 is provided for connecting this attachment to the tongue of the vehicle. This link has an eye 22 at its upper end adapted to receive the hook 17, and within the lower or forked end of the link is journaled a roller 23, which is adapted to bear on the tongue 24: of a vehicle. An aperture 25 extends through the link adjacent the forked end thereof, and arranged within this aperture is a rod 26, which is parallel with tongue 24; and has its ends bent downward and extending through the tongue. These ends are secured within the tongue in any suitable manner, as by means of nuts 27. A coiled spring 28 is interposed between the block 15 and the lower cap 2 and is coiled about the stem 11. v

The device herein described is adapted to be secured upon the backs of draft-animals by means of the chain 9 and band 10, and the springs 13 and 28 serve as cushions for pre' venting the jolting of the animals. As the arms 5 are slidably mounted within the easing, it will be seen that a certain amount of independent lateral movement of the animals is permitted. Moreover, the tongue 24 can be readily detached by raising the sleeve 20 and permitting the hook 17 to be swung laterally on its pivot, thereby disengaging it from eye 22.

In the foregoing" description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; but Ido not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. An attachment of the character described comprising a casing, laterally-movable arms mounted therein, a cushioned stem slidably mounted Within the casing, and means for connecting the stem to a vehicle.

2. An attachment of the character described comprising a casing, laterally-movable arms therein, a cushioned stem slidably mounted within the casing, a hook connected to-the stem, and means for locking the hook against movement.

3. In an attachment of the character described, the combination with a casing having rollers journaled therein; of laterally-movable arms within the casing and upon the rollers, stops therefor, a cushioned stem slidably mounted within the casing, and means for securing the stem to a vehicle.

4:. In an attachment of the character described, the combination with a casing having laterally-movable arms therein, roller-bearings therefor, and stops; of a stem slidably mounted within the casing, springs for controlling the movement of the stem, and means for securing the stem to a vehicle.

5. An attachment of the character described, comprising a casing, arms slidably mounted within the casing and extending from opposite sides thereof, a cushioned stem slidably mounted within the casing, a grooved block secured thereto, a hook pivoted within the block, and means for automatically locking the hook within the block.

6. An attachment of the character described, comprising a casing, oppositely-extending arms slidably mounted therein, a cushioned stem slidably mounted within the casing, a grooved block connected to the stem, a hook pivoted within the block, a sleeve for locking the hook within the block, and means for connecting said hook to a vehicle.

7 An attachment of the character described, comprising a casing, oppositely-extending arms slidably mounted therein, a spring-controlled stem slidably mounted within the casing, a rod adapted to be secured to a tongue, a link slidably mounted thereon, and means for detachably connecting the link to the stem.

8. The combination with a vehicle-tongue having a rod thereon, and a link slidably mounted upon the rod; of an attachment comprising a casing, laterally movable arms mounted therein, bearings for the arms, a spring-controlled stem slidably mounted within the casing, and means for detachably connecting the stem to the link.

9. The combination with a vehicle-tongue having a rod thereon, and a link slidably mounted upon the rod; of an attachment comprising a casing, laterally movable arms mounted therein, bearings for the arms, a spring-controlled stem slidably mounted within the casing, a grooved block secured to the stem, a hook therein for engaging the link, and means for automatically locking the hook in engagement with the link.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DANIEL GIBERSON.

Witnesses:

R. (J. HAINS, WV. B. PRITCHETT. 

